By Michael Julian Pastor, Macedonia Baptist Church, Kenton. Emptiness. We seek to avoid this feeling with every fiber of our being. When you feel emotionally empty it’s as if all sentiment and feeling have gone south for the winter, and left you in the cold, harsh conditions of the Arctic. When your dreams keep turning up empty it’s as if someone has stolen the fire in your eyes and replaced
I had the privilege this week of attending the third day of Holy Week Services at Lebanon Cumberland Presbyterian Church. For more than two decades, this church has welcomed churches and members of all denominations to its campus to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (see story at https://baptistandreflector.org/lebanon-churches-rally-around-the-cross-and-jesus/). I’ve been a Baptist all my life and I know some Baptists think we’re the only ones who will
By Chuck Kelley Jr. President, New Orleans (La.) Baptist Theological Seminary My childhood was different than most. I grew up in the home of a funeral director. For the first years of my life, we literally lived in the funeral home itself in an apartment above the family rooms, casket room and chapel. Far earlier than most, I learned an essential truth about life: Death is inevitable for all.
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] LifeWay Christian Resources’ decision to close their “brick and mortar” stores by year end has caused some angst among Tennessee Baptists. And, I admit, I’m one of them. I understand their reasoning. According to their news release, LifeWay Christian Stores has experienced a decline in customer traffic and sales. Business is business, but in LifeWay’s case, it also is a ministry to
By Randy C. Davis TBMB President & Executive Director Everyone likes to win. Even the most non-competitive people prefer winning to losing. Losing is a momentum killer. It’s a drain. It puts people on edge. Winning, however, builds momentum and breeds more winning. We don’t have to look any further than the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team to see the effects of winning. Through the years, the Vols have
By Phil Holmes Director of Missions, Loudon County Baptist Association It is a characteristic of the human condition to doubt oneself — doubting if the right decision was made, doubting if I’m good enough, doubting if I measure up. Within the body of believers, we doubt too. Sometimes we even doubt if God is in control. But, there is something we tend to forget: God is love, He never changes
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] “Hate” is one of the most powerful words in the English language. Most dictionaries define the verb “hate” as to “feel intense or passionate dislike for (someone).” “Hate,” when used as a noun means “intense or passionate dislike.” How we use the word “hate” is important. In and of itself, “hate” is not a bad word. There are some things we need
By Matt Tullos Stewardship Development Specialist, TBMB Three farmers in Tennessee went out to farm. All three farmers made the most of their field and their fields produced a great harvest. But the first farmer was a bit shortsighted. He kept all his harvest as well as the seeds for the coming years at home. So, while he kept the farm going, the impact he had was limited. Very limited.
By Randy C. Davis TBMB President & Executive Director Great Commission work is like having a balanced diet and Acts 1:8 is the recipe. You know the recipe: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” However, it is one thing to know the recipe,
By Greg Burton Pastor, Colonial Heights Baptist Church Editor’s Note: Before beginning any exercise program, consult your physician. Far too often as we age, we back off good health practices. We are more comfortable in the recliner than we are on the walking trails or at the gym. Age brings needs to us that are more urgent than when we were younger. I encourage all of you over 50 years
By Michael Julian Pastor, Macedonia Baptist Church, Kenton. Emptiness. We seek to avoid this feeling with every fiber of our being. When you feel emotionally
I had the privilege this week of attending the third day of Holy Week Services at Lebanon Cumberland Presbyterian Church. For more than two decades,
By Chuck Kelley Jr. President, New Orleans (La.) Baptist Theological Seminary My childhood was different than most. I grew up in the home of a
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] LifeWay Christian Resources’ decision to close their “brick and mortar” stores by year end has caused some
By Randy C. Davis TBMB President & Executive Director Everyone likes to win. Even the most non-competitive people prefer winning to losing. Losing is a
By Phil Holmes Director of Missions, Loudon County Baptist Association It is a characteristic of the human condition to doubt oneself — doubting if the
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] “Hate” is one of the most powerful words in the English language. Most dictionaries define the verb
By Matt Tullos Stewardship Development Specialist, TBMB Three farmers in Tennessee went out to farm. All three farmers made the most of their field and
By Randy C. Davis TBMB President & Executive Director Great Commission work is like having a balanced diet and Acts 1:8 is the recipe. You
By Greg Burton Pastor, Colonial Heights Baptist Church Editor’s Note: Before beginning any exercise program, consult your physician. Far too often as we age, we